Professor, Chemistry
Chair, Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology
Contact information
- Office: 605 Academic Hall
- Phone: 412-392-3879
- Fax: 412-392-6180
- Email: mfarrell@pointpark.edu
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Secondary Education, California University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Science, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University
Courses Taught
- General Chemistry I and II
- Organic Chemistry
- Organic/Biochemistry
- Environmental Sciences I
Background
Professor Mark Farrell, Ph.D., has taught at Point Park for 24 years. Most recently, Farrell and Point Park 2010 biological sciences alumna Michelle Guaragno have formed the foundation for Marelle LLC, a company that will develop commercial applications for a novel chemical process that can be applied to a wide range of compounds such as antioxidants, ultraviolet light (U.V.) blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The essence of Farrell and Guaragno's discoveries was to employ nanoparticles, commonly called fullerenes, to enable water insoluble substances to become water soluble. Their “Marelle Process” allows commercially valuable compounds (approved by the FDA and the EPA) to retain their fundamental desirable properties and now be used in previously impossible ways.
Research Interests
- Functionalization of fullerenes, a.k.a. buckyballs
Point Park Features
- "Researchers Michelle Guaragno and Mark Farrell, Ph.D., Discover Novel Chemical Process," The Point, Spring 2012.
- "Biological Sciences Students Pursue Medical School and Diversity of Professional Options," The Point, Spring 2012.
- "Biological Sciences Alum to Pursue Dental School," Point Park University website, June 15, 2011.